Revolution Through Education

Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

GAURA PURNIMA 2019

Spring Issue No. 1/4 CONTENTS

VISION STATEMENT ...... 3

MISSION STATEMENT ...... 3

MASTHEAD ...... 3

MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING-EDITOR ...... 4

ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT ...... 5

MOE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 25–27 FEB, SRIDHAM MAYAPUR ...... 6

ISKCON SASTRIC DEGREES SYMPOSIUM ...... 12

ISKCON MINISTRY OF EDUCATION'S TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM ...... 13

CALL FOR PAPERS – ISKCON PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION BOOK ...... 14 Background ...... 14 Project Schedule ...... 14 Terms of reference...... 15 Aims of ISKCON Educational System ...... 15 Request for Participation ...... 16

BHAKTIVEDANTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOLDS 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ...... 17

NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE REPORT ...... 18

A HIDDEN GEM IN YOUR COMMUNITY: ...... 19

CALENDAR OF EVENTS ...... 20

NEXT ISSUE ...... 20

- March 2019 2 VISION STATEMENT

To provide conscious education of high quality to everyone through temples, educational institutions and various global initiatives.

MISSION STATEMENT

To develop comprehensive educational systems globally, that foster higher spiritual values, full the needs of ISKCON members and the larger society bringing about excellence in all areas of human life. We aim to full this mission by: 1. Empowering and supporting educational initiatives and collaborations among educators, educational institutions and professionals 2. Establishing and monitoring high standards of Vaisnava education 3. Supervising the development and execution of educational plans and ensuring that they are delivered to high standards 4. Understanding and fullling the educational needs of Krsna conscious families 5. Making every temple as an educational centre and a centre of excellence.

MASTHEAD

Viplavah is a Journal of the Ministry of Education of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Founder Acharya His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Minister of Education: Sesa Das Executive Director: Tapana Mishra Das Core Committee: , Sesa Das, Atul-krsna Das, -giridhari Das, Tapana Mishra Das, Champaka-lata Devi Dasi, Indira-sakhi Devi Dasi, Acting Editor: Hanumatpresaka Swami Editorial Board: • Indira-sakhi Devi Dasi • Gopika Radhika Devi Dasi e rst issue of the Journal was published Janmastami 2017 with plans to publish four issues each year. It is driven out of North American and the Western Hemisphere but is aimed at serving the educational needs of ISKCON globally. We hope it inspires many regional and topical journals, such as Jayam which is now being published in Spanish. Ministry Web Site: https://iskconeducation.org/ For Correspondence: [email protected]

23 - March 2019 MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING-EDITOR

Bhakti-vaibhava to Bhakti-sarva-bhauma, by study of) one chapter a day. e program retains 90% of the students through the entire program and we are looking to integrate with it for Sastric Studies in North America. Back into the aluminum wiener and a one night program in with the Bagh-bazaar Gaudiya Matha on its 100th Anniversary. Several ISKCON scholars joined. Pune – An article about that meeting follows By Hanumatpresaka Swami by Atul Krsna Das. We can add that we were amazed at the level of devotional, intellectual and ere is Viplavah 2019-1. e content is professional maturity of the participants. Dozens Hgreat. Could be greater. Is there anything of aims for the Four Diploma Program were else more important in ISKCON than its shied and combined over several days. It looks Ministry of Education? Please take charge, simple in the end but that took a lot of head-ache. contribute to this essential Sankirtan. en teaching a Bhakti-vaibhava course at Personally, we, HpSwami, traveled with a the VIHE in Vrndavana and on to Mayapura for great focus on Ministry work through , the Ministr y, India and International Texas and then India. In Houston we touched Symposium. We include a report of this from bases with our Sastric Educators – H. G. Indira-sakhi Devi Dasi and Prabhavi Gopi Devi Krsna Das and Hari-lila Das, and Srivasa Dasi. We saw enormous programs developing Pandita Das and Bali-mardana Das from from India to Russia. Iskcon Silicon Valley by telephone. en e SGGS (Sannyasi GBC Sanga) met impelled by their instructions we headed East. with participation from top leaders such as H. H. In Navi Mumbai, Rama-giri-dhari Das Radhanatha Swami, Gopal-Krsna Goswami et al. continues with his Sanskrita Centric Education ere were about 70 participants daily. Several and Goloka Education primary school very important topics were addressed and work initiatives. Heading North to Surat we visited teams rotated twice a day giving us a chance to Atmarama and Mataji's primary school. It now contact many of our peers in never before has 150-students though at its height 400. It is possible fashion. We saw many areas where we now becoming more involved as an official have to learn and many areas where we feel we ISKCON center. have excellent ideas to offer. South to Wada and Govardhana Eco-Village Of course, we have also been doing work for and the Vidya-pitha with Gauranga Darshana our own educational, Sankirtan, institution, Das and even H. H. Radhanatha Swami. ey NIOS, but all in all, ISKCON is alive educationally have a powerful Sastric Education program and integration of work force stands as a great which is residential for two years, covers from challenge. Many hairs make a rope.

- March 2019 24 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

By Rama-giri-dhari Das

e following is the annual nancial report from the Ministry of Education. is is for the period April 2018 to March 2019.

RECEIPTS • Starting Balance (as on 1st Apr '18) - USD 6300 /- (carry forward from the previous year budget) • Funds received from GBC Treasury on 8th May, 2018) - USD 923 /- (from 2018 -19 budget) • Funds received from GBC Treasury on 28th May, 2018) - USD 4615 /- (from 2018 -19 budget) • Funds received from GBC Treasury on 18th Sep, 2018) - USD 615 /- (from 2018 -19 budget) • In Kind contribution from MoE Executive Committee members - USD 7500 /-

EXPENSES • International Education Conference in Mayapur USD 4615 /- • North American Education Conference In Alachua USD 169 /- • MoE office expenses USD 1846 /- • MoE Website Development USD 770 /- • Viplavah Design (Layout) USD 500/- • Shiing the MoE web server & domain name USD 200 /- • Travel Sponsored and undertaken by MoE EC USD 7500/-

NOTE: e Ministry of Education has undertaken lots of new initiatives and projects to be executed in the year 2019 - 20. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in helping our Ministry with raising funds for various projects or supporting a specic project.

25 - March 2019 MOE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM (25th - 27th Feb, Sridham Mayapur)

By Indira-sakhi Devi Dasi and Prabhavi Gopi Devi Dasi

nternational Educational Symposium, organized teach systematically. is three day symposium Iby ISKCON's Ministry of Education, was brought together wonderful educators from 18 conducted from 25th to 27th February at Namahatta different countries to work out ways and means to Bhavan in Sridham Mayapur. As the name implies, full Srila Prabhupada's vision for education in the symposium was yet another brick for viplavah, ISKCON. More than 150 devotees were physically building a revolution in the educational atmosphere present and many more joined online as it was being within ISKCON. As a movement serving society by streamed by Mayapur TV. bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world's misdirected civilization we need to DAY 1 (25th Feb) invest more time and resources into education as a th means of empowering ourselves. is was the main Day 1 (25 ) of the symposium was dedicated to focus of the symposium. ISKCON India's educational initiatives. is started ISKCON has gone ahead with many potent with an auspicious inaugural address by H.G. Basu preaching activities but has education kept pace? Ghosh Prabhu, ISKCON India Bureau, Vice- Clearly, our Founder Acarya wanted education as a Chairperson. Basu Ghosh Prabhu emphasized the strong, integrated, global aspect of our society. need for reviving the traditional method of Srila Prabhupada was particular that devotees nd education, particularly in India, and recommended time to read his books, he supervised opening of that be taught as a primary language. schools, made ambitious plans for establishing e stage was also graced by H.G. Sesa Prabhu, universities and encouraged devotees to study and GBC Minister of Education, overseeing the Ministries

- March 2019 26 In order to translate the enthusiasm of the gathered educators into immediate practical action, teams were formed according to the individual's interests in: Setting up universities within ISKCON, Sunday Schools, Sastric studies, Value education, and ISKCON schools including Gurukulas. Each group was required to come up with an action plan and rough timelines for the rst phase of their project. In the aernoon session each of the teams gave a presentation about their project based on the following points – what is the vision of the project, work, and by H.H. Hanumatpresaka Swami, a who will be overall coordinator for the project, who member of the Executive Committee of the Ministry. are the team members, what will be the method of Maharaja pointed out that universities are there to communication within the team (for the next two teach the teachers, and that each one of us who is days and subsequently over the next year with learning has an obligation to teach. He inspired the devotees going back to their congregations and Indian educators to consider that they should temples), what specic outcomes will the team broaden their scope and teach the Westerners as Srila deliver in the next six months and what is the general pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe. Prabhupada did: timeline of their project. Sessions started with a presentation, e entire exercise was designed to enable Cooperation for Transformation: A Bundle of Sticks devotees from different geographical locations to by H.G. Tapana Mishra Das, Executive Director of collaborate and work together. In this way the the Ministry. Prabhu highlighted that even though symposium was not just a “meet and greet” event, but there are many educational projects within pushed us to take concrete, measurable steps towards ISKCON which are doing brilliantly in their improving education within ISKCON. individual capacity, collectively it was not possible to nd the pulse of education in ISKCON. He th th appealed to the educators that their cooperation DAY 2 & 3 (26 & 27 Feb) was imperative for knowledge-sharing to advance Days 2 & 3 was for discussion of initiatives in the cause of education. He pointed out that ISKCON internationally. In these two days the educators should not hold their resources without devotees had an opportunity to participate in more sharing them as all ISKCON programs ultimately than twenty presentations given by seasoned come from the same source – the teachings and educators on topics as diverse as philosophy of books of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta education, varnasrama education, sastric degrees, Swami Prabhupada. tertiary education, and online education. Presenters conformed admirably to 20-minutes of delivery and 10-minutes of questions and answers. is TED-talk type of a format kept the audience riveted and allowed the educators to have effective time to discuss their initiatives and their challenges. Day 2's Keynote Address was by H.G. Sesa Das. Prabhu emphasized that a major role of education would be in succession planning within ISKCON. Educated devotees who have the reasoning and analytical skills granted to them by education would

27 - March 2019 be needed to take over the management of ISKCON. community. He humorously commented that when Prabhu also launched the revamped web platform of someone sits down to study we shouldn't be the Ministr y which may be accessed at exasperated and say, “Why don't you do something https://iskconeducation.org. practical?” It is practical – you just can't see the results immediately. He concluded by appealing to all Temple Presidents and GBC Secretaries, “Please, please give support to Education”. One of the most prominent educators in our movement, H.G. , spoke on Training the Teachers: Instituting Best Practices in Educational Programs. With her personal anecdotes Mataji shared some of the concerns with regard to teachers in ISKCON such as “people not connecting with the real needs or concerns of the audience,” teaching courses “not craed for long term retention” or “not craed to facilitate application.” She stressed Presentations started with H.H. Yadunandana that Srila Prabhupada wanted us to know “something Swami speaking on ISKCON's Philosophies of of everything” and “everything of something,” Education. Maharaja stressed that a philosophy of explaining that the “everything of something” is education must be established as a foundation of all related to our specic service. If our service is educational projects and that while we may have teaching then we must know everything of the cra some diversity in philosophies of education, they of teaching. Mataji also took the opportunity to must all have consistency and agreement at a showcase part of the online course that she has been fundamental level. working on with the Ministry to train teachers to H.G. Pranav Prabhu, Ph.D. scholar with the teach. A dynamic, parallel, online presentation by the Bhaktivedanta Research Center in Kolkata, gave an Ministry's Russian Regional Representative, H.G. intriguing presentation, e Gaudiya Vaishnava Tirtha Pavana Das was also shown. Culture of Study and Practice rough Academics, taking a bird's eye view of the Gaudiya Vaishnava history of academics from 19th to 21st century. Starting from the culture of study established by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Acaryas such as Srila Bhaktivinoda akur, Srila Bhakti Siddhanata Saraswati akur, and Srila Prabhupada, Pranav Prabhu brought us to the present day when devotees in ISKCON are now working towards establishing a university to formally teach Gaudiya . H.G. Aniruddha Prabhu, talked about Every Temple - an Educational Oasis. Prabhu, who has been the extremely successful temple president for e following presentation was Varnasrama Melbourne for many, many years, shared that as a College for Vocational Training by T.G. Kalakantha manager at rst one is reluctant to invest in Dasa and Samba Das. ey highlighted that working education because it appears to give no immediate with one's nature can lead to abundant living and that returns, but he realized that his job as a Temple we should be open-minded to exploring President was not just to ensure that there was unconventional ways of teaching. ey demonstrated money in the bank, but also to nourish the devotee the success of their program by the practical results

- March 2019 28 they have achieved with working with the Gurukula Cultural Revolution through Education. He described boys who have been able to develop practical the system developed in Hungary and discussed three expertise in an astonishing variety of elds. main aspects – cultural revolution, Varnasrama college and starting with the Varna. e nal presentation of the day was again given by Urmila Mataji, who showed a snapshot of the project which is currently underway to develop a Sunday School curriculum. She described the need to have a curriculum that can be used all over the world and addressed concerns with which devotees conducting such sessions struggle - having multi-age children in a single class, lack of time or resources to adequately prepare etc. Day 3 of the Symposium began with H.H. Hanumatpresaka Swami's presentation on H.G. Srivas Das started the aernoon session Philosophy of Education entitled General Principles to with Enhancing the Culture of Reading Srila Specic Application: e Encyclopedia to Carl Jung. He Prabhupada's Books Globally. He stressed that the mentioned that the general terms in the philosophy of Ministry of Education wants it to be very clear that education could be linked to the Vedic understanding every educational program within ISKCON must as Karma – education as information, Jnana – have Srila Prabhupada's books as their basis and education as reason, Dhyana – education as intuition emphasized that “every devotee in ISKCON should and nally Bhakti – learning to love wisdom. He make Srila Prabhupada's books his constant emphasized that while all the elements are required companion.” Continuing in a similar vein, H.G. Atul steps in our schools, the aim of our education should Krsna Prabhu spoke about redesigning the Four be to reach the highest level, i.e. Bhakti. Sastric Degrees in such a way that they would be accessible to more and more devotees and they would get an opportunity to study Srila Prabhupada's books systematically. He claried that the Board of Examinations is currently in the process of developing a standard for the Sastric courses with particular emphasis on a having a unied method of assessment. H.G. Gopal Bhatta Das and H.G. Kaunteya Das then spoke on Leadership Training, highlighting such excellent efforts as the GBC College, ILS (ISKCON Leadership Sanga) and SGGS (Sannyasi, H.H. Krishna Kshetra Swami spoke on Guru, GBC Sanga). Another personality involved in Education, Not Indoctrination: A Culture of training leaders, H.H. Bhakti Rasayana Swami, Independent oughfulness suggesting that we spoke on Unsustainable Educational Culture, where should encourage devotees to write, ask questions, he raised the question about educators in ISKCON debate issues honestly, encourage diversity, conduct struggling nancially. He recommended that one research, and philosophically speculate so that every way to circumvent this problem would be to develop devotee is able to go deeper into his understanding of ourselves as educators in such a way that devotees philosophy. He pointed out that if as educators we are will be inspired to support us. Next, through a video teaching “what to think” rather than “how to think,” presentation H.G. Radha Krsna Das spoke on we risk sliding into the realm of fundamentalism.

29 - March 2019 H.G. Gaura-krsna Prabhu spoke on Unity philosophy and culture including massive, colorful within Diversity – Creating a Synergetic Education cultural rallies. Ecosystem. He noted that for education to be H.G. Champakalata Mataji spoke of the effective, various aspects should work in sync such Ministry's project on setting standards for ISKCON as developing a philosophy of education, a scientic schools. She stressed on the need for improving the theory of education, deliberating on the quality of education in our schools and mentioned methodology, and having the proper physical some of the parameters which should be considered facilities and environment. for establishing a school or elevating the level of ones H.G. Tapan-mishra Das gave a presentation on that are already running. the Projects and Plans of the Ministry. e structure of the Ministry was detailed and descriptions given of various initiatives underway such as curriculum development, school standards and philosophy of education. e educators present were once again forebodingly urged to come forward and help the Ministry to take these initiatives forward or suffer the consequences.

H.G. Balimardan Prabhu - Penetrating the secular Educational system with the sword of As It Is. A case study from North America. e strategy adopted in North America of approaching large publishers of textbooks such as McGraw Hill and Discovery, and convincing them to include text from Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad- H.G. Gauranga Prabhu - Tertiary Education – gita. In this way hundreds of thousands of students Top Down Approach. Based on his research on will be exposed to Gaudiya Vaishanava philosophy. tertiary educational institutes established by other Another organization actively working towards religious organizations, he stressed that ISKCON too conveying Srila Prabhupada's message in a secular urgently needs to give focus on this aspect of context is e Avanti Schools Trust. Usha Sahni education. It begins with training devotees to become Mataji described the successful Educational teachers in institutions at this level, universities. He Developmental Models, Building Inclusive explained how such a university could offer courses Partnerships at Krsna Avanti Schools, and explained from a Vaishnava perspective which would interest that the factors that worked in their favor to expand people from the secular world. Another personality were that they were not only teaching the complete connected with tertiary education, Professor Louis national curriculum but in addition Sanskrit and a Filipe discussed Entrepreneurship in Education, citing customized curriculum of Krsna consciousness the Lusophone University in Portugal as a case study. philosophy and ethics. A presentation related to education for ISKCON Interestingly, the next presentation was based on Youth was given H.G. Sundar Gopal Prabhu's team Gurukula education and served to highlight the demonstrating the innovative preaching initiatives diversity in approach which is inherent in ISKCON's undertaken by ISKCON Delhi to introduce culture. H.G. Prananatha Prabhu, H.G. Acintya thousands and thousands of young people to Vedic Swarupa Prabhu and H.G. Prabhu spoke

- March 2019 102 on Vedic Education. ey shared their experiences of Prabhu drove the point home regarding online trainings teaching and studying at the world renown with a video - E-learning Insights. He urged devotees, Bhaktivedanta Academy in Mayapura, and “Don't miss the bus!” and practically demonstrated some emphasized the practical approach of Vedic features of an effective online course. education, particularly in building character and Sessions ended with the Vote of anks by H.G. producing dauntless leaders for ISKCON. Tapana-mishra Das and the participants appreciating the efforts of the organizers with a roaring and prolonged applause. All the presentations had been followed with active participation and questions were asked by both veteran and young, aspiring educators. e discussions were very fruitful as they opened spaces for innovative thinking and questioning. e presence of such a variety of experienced educators to answer questions made the conference very cogent and practical. Overall, it was a very, very inspiring, well-organized conference, and participants le feeling enlivened and encouraged to approach their service for education in ISKCON with renewed vigor. e recordings of all the sessions will shortly be H.G. Pancharatna Das electried us with Online available for viewing on the Ministry's website. Education – Good, Bad and Ugly. He explained the More photos of the symposium can be viewed here. 'good' benets of utilizing the internet for training and The tentative dates for the next symposium are 20th warned against 'bad' implementation or 'ugly' design and 21st Feb, 2020. Please let us know if you would which would completely defeat the purpose. H.G. Prana like to participate or volunteer for help in organizing.

112 - March 2019 ISKCON SASTRIC DEGREES SYMPOSIUM

By Atul Krsna Das BOEX Chairman

embers of the ISKCON Board of • To help devotees understand, appreciate and MExaminations, and other Sastric perpetuate the mood and mission of Srila Educational luminaries, recently met in Pune to Prabhupada. review the current standards for the Four Sastric Degrees established by Srila Prabhupada. e • To help devotees meet Srila Prabhupada in the pages of his books. etc. symposium participants included H.H. Hanumatpresak Swami, Prashanta Devi Dasi, Aer clarifying the purposes of the Sastric Adi Purusa Das, Vamisvadan Das, Balgovind Degree Program, team members then identied Das, Gauranga Darsan Das and Atul Krsna Das. specic Learning Outcomes for each degree, e team rst formulated Purposes of the these specic learning outcomes becoming Degree program and identied Targets such as progressively more developed as students helping students to: proceed through the respective degrees.

• Develop analytical, interpretive and On the basis of these specic learning outcomes evaluative Sastric application skills. the team is now preparing assessment (open and closed book essays etc.) to measure the • Cultivate a spirit of seless, steady, individual's achievement of the respective cooperative and productive service. learning outcomes. ese assessment questions will enable global standardization of the degrees • Practice quality devotional Sadhana and deepen Vaishnava qualities. and also accommodate various teaching approaches such as classroom, blended and • Cultivate genuine compassion towards all online. e team is planning to launch the new living beings. system by ILS 2020.

- March 2019 122 ISKCON MINISTRY OF EDUCATION'S TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

By Indira-sakhi Devi Dasi

er several months of effort, the revamped website of ISKCON's ministry of Aeducation https://iskconeducation.org/ is ready to be used by devotees for their educational needs. It is still in the beta testing phase, which in simple words means that there may be minor glitches or errors. Nevertheless, we encourage devotees to register and explore the various features that are being offered. To aid navigation of the website, a brief description of the various sections is given below. 1. About Us – is section provides information about ISKCON's ministry of education – its vision, mission, organizational structure, etc. 2. Journal – is section allows the users to view and download all the issues of the ministry's journal, Viplavah. 3. Educators – is is the section where we would like devotees involved in education to enter details so that they can be saved in our database. is may be done in 3 ways. a. Individual educators can enter their details. b. Institutes such as ISKCON schools or Sastric education institutes can enter their details. c. Programs such as Sunday Schools, summer camps or Bhagavad-gita study groups can enter their details. is section also allows this information to be searched by users. is means that if a parent is looking for an ISKCON school in a particular geographic location for their child, we will be able to provide the relevant details to them. erefore, we request devotees all over the world who are serving in the eld of education to kindly input their details, so that we can have a central database for ISKCON's educators and educational initiatives. 4. Library – Due to the hard work of H.G. Kartamasa Prabhu, H.G. Nataka-candrika Mataji and H.G. Radha Damodara Prabhu, we are pleased to offer an extensive resource library of Krsna conscious material which can be used by parents and teachers to develop innovative courses to teach Krsna consciousness. A word of caution: Some of the material may be copyrighted, therefore, we request devotees to use their discretion and utilize such material only for their private use. We also request devotees to help the library grow by uploading more material. 5. Discussions – is section provides a space for devotees to enter into discussions about various topics related to education in ISKCON. Devotees can start threads of discussion and other devotees can comment on it. 6. Events – is section allows devotees to view upcoming events related to education. It also has a facility where users can upload events. 7. Volunteer – is section provides information about the various initiatives the Ministry is undertaking and invites devotees to participate or contribute to them. Many of the features mentioned above, such as uploading events or starting discussion threads, are only available to users registered on the website. erefore, we request devotees to take a few minutes to complete the registration form, so that they can fully utilize the services offered by the website. We have ambitious plans for the website, including offering online training and video news updates. However, we are constrained due to a lack of resources. We would be grateful if devotees familiar with web development would kindly come forward to help us in this service. Education is one of the most important aspects of any society and in this day and age, the internet can play a major role in fulfilling this need. We hope this website will develop to be the one-stop shop for everything related to education within ISKCON. But this can only be possible with cooperation of the devotees from all over ISKCON. We seek your support and blessings to make this endeavor a success.

132 - March 2019 CALL FOR PAPERS – ISKCON PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION BOOK

By Tapana Mishra Dasa

BACKGROUND

or over 50 years the devotees of ISKCON have undertaken educational initiatives Funder the inspiration of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. While all such efforts are glorious, most of them have not been driven by an explicitly stated philosophy of education. It is important that education within ISKCON is guided by a proper philosophy of education, otherwise we may be deviating from Srila Prabhupada's vision. In this regard the ISKCON, Ministry of Education felt that there is a pressing need for ISKCON to compile ISKCON philosophy(ies) of education. While acknowledging the diversity which is an inherent part of ISKCON, we accept that there may be more than one philosophy of education, but at the same time there must be some fundamental principles that unify them all. By no means is this going to be the nal effort on this topic for the next 10,000 years. Rather it is a sincere attempt to produce what the current educators within ISKCON feel the philosophy of education should be, based on the understanding they have developed by studying Srila Prabhupada's instructions on this topic and applying it in their respective educational efforts. Every 3 to 5 years reections should be churned to build on this effort. is document is meant to be an introduction to how the project would evolve. It includes the overall project schedule with specic deadlines for each milestone, terms of reference, followed by illustrative aims of education shared by Rasamandala Prabhu and ending with a request for devotees to participate in various capacities. Project Schedule ACTIVITY DEADLINE ose who are willing to submit an article, must send a letter of intent to the 15 May 2019 Ministry of Education stating their interest to write an article to along with a short write up on their service within ISKCON and statement of purpose as to why they want to undertake this service. Project team to specically acknowledge and conrm back to the devotees 30 May 2019 who have expressed willingness to participate. Ministry of Education project team to publish guidance on the article style 30 May 2019 such as - a style-sheet, specifying how references are to be made and standards for spelling, punctuation, the use of diacritics or an alternative (and specied) phonetic notation; Call for papers on 'ISKCON Philosophy of Education' from devotees around 15 August 2019 the world. All submissions must happen within this period Editorial board to review the submissions, seek clarications from authors, 30 September 2019 (probably) come up with a summary and conclusion Some assigned members of the team to hold face to face discussions during 31 October 2019 Kartik in Vrndavana. Depending on the outcome of the above discussions, the team to undertake the February, 2020 preparation of book and publish it at least electronically. at our International Education Symposium in Sridham Mayapur

- March 2019 142 TERMS OF REFERENCE Maximum word limit: 5000 words

The essay should respond to all or some of the Article must include references, either from following questions: devotional literature or academic sources (or both). This will ensure a high-standard of 1. What is ISKCON's Philosophy of scholarship (consistent with our heritage), Education? while also accommodating a wide range of perspectives (that are expressed with a degree. 2. What is the meaning of education? of justification)

3. What should be the goals of education? Authors may of course cite education experts in general, but they themselves should be strictly 4. What is an educated person? following Srila Prabhupada's basic standards o What values, skills and knowledge should students learn? for initiated disciples (i.e., four regulative principles and 16 good rounds daily)*. Of 5. What are the guiding principles around course this requirement can be adjusted which ISKCON should develop its according to the practical, common sense educational initiatives and strategies? decisions of the Editor.

a) What values should be prevalent AIMS OF ISKCON EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM through any educational program? b) Should ISKCON education focus only The foremost aim of any educational system on theology and philosophy or should it should be to fulfil the order of His Divine Grace Srila be multidisciplinary? Prabhupada and develop Krishna Prema. Yet at the c) W h a t t e a c h i n g a n d l e a r n i n g same time, the papers should address this issue by methodologies (i.e. contemporary, reflecting on some considerations as stated below to traditional, alternative etc.) should be help establish respect for ISKCON Educational used or rejected? initiatives within the larger society. i. To what extent should ISKCON draw from educational approaches 1. Raise the status of ISKCON education, asserting or methods used by other religious its key role in societal leadership or secular institutes? ii. To what extent education should be classical Vedic or adapted to 2. Help nurture a community of devotee educators contemporary audiences? and educationalists d) Should education be teacher-centred or student-centred? 3. P r o m o t e d i a l o g u e b e t w e e n I S K C O N educationalists and 'outsider' colleagues 6. What is the role of research and publishing in education?

7. Day schools vs. Boarding schools * “In the modern system of education the teacher's 8. Consideration of placement of students academic qualification is taken into consideration without evaluation of his moral life.” (SB 1.9.26 purport). within society after completing their education “In this Kåñëa consciousness movement we require everyone to rise early in the morning, by four o'clock, and 9. Potential writers could suggest further attend maìgala-ärati, or morning worship, then read topics, beyond these listed; and which might Çrémad-Bhägavatam, perform kértana, and so forth. Thus we hold continuous activities in devotional service twenty- be accepted at the discretion of the book's four hours daily.” (Nectar of Instruction verse 3 purport). editors

152 - March 2019 4. Raise the standards in ISKCON-backed important project. So please do submit your interest th education for writing an article by 30 April.

5. Enable ISKCON to positively contribute The ministry would require several volunteers towards the education world who could assist in proof-reading, editing, layout, communicating with writers who express interest to submit an article, and so on. If you feel inspired to 6. Promote reflective engagement between theory participate in this project in any capacity, then please and practice write to us at [email protected] stating your area of interest. 7. Encourage ISKCON educationalists to research, write and publish Your servant, Tapana Mishra Dasa (Executive Director) 8. Bring together various interest groups to promote a more collaborative, mutually- On Behalf of the team: beneficial approach to education H.H. Hanumatpresaka Swami, H.H. Yadunandana Swami, 9. Encourage the development of a strategic H.G. Bal Govinda Dasa, approach towards education. H.G. Bhakta Chetan Hazaree, REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION H.G. Indira Sakhi Devi Dasi, H.G. Gopika Radhika Devi Dasi. The team sincerely prays to Their Lordships that many of the dedicated educators within ISKCON from different parts of the world would come forward to submit their contribution for this

- March 2019 162 BHAKTIVEDANTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOLDS 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

By Guru-bhakti Devi Dasi

SKCON Houston hosted 100 medical Final Exam: Death and Dying from a Vedic Iprofessionals at the Fifth Annual Perspective”, was delivered by HH Giriraj Bhaktivedanta Medical Association (BMA) Swami. conference January 18-21, 2019. H.H. originally encouraged Prema · Talks on the scientific basis of meditation Vilas Dasa from Columbus (Ohio, USA) to were presented by: 1) Dr Alejandro Chaoul organize an annual retreat for medical (MD Anderson Cancer Center), 2) Dr professionals practicing or interested in Krsna Randeep Suneja and 3) Vinay Gauranga consciousness, to enhance their Krishna Dasa, presenting his research on “Mantra consciousness, to assist one another in serving Meditation in Metal-encephalography”. Srila Prabhupada, and to expand Krishna consciousness among medical professionals. · Dr Manuj Kapur presented “Rationing Health Care” BMA thus offers a forum for devotees within the medical field to network year-round, meet · “Ayurveda – a catalyst for Modern Life” by annually for fellowship, become better devotees Anantheswar Dasa and medical professionals. It helps medical professionals integrate their spiritual life with · “Intermittent fasting” by Hari Raman Dasa, the demands of their professions. The Association strategizes on how medical · “Physician Burnout” by Prasannatma Dasa, professionals can best serve ISKCON, Srila Director of BMA. Prabhupada, and devotees in USA and inspires more medical professionals to take up bhakti. · Jayshri Radhe Dasi talked on Microbiome, Unlike previous conferences at farm communities in Gita Nagari & New Vrindavan, · Bhagavan Dasa (RN) on “A glorious which were retreat-oriented, Houston's program passing”, was more like an academic conference with several uplifting Swamis, & attendees earned · “Coordinating Care for the Whole Patient” continuing medical educational credits, through by Jayna Patel (RN). University of Texas Medical Branch. Panel discussions focused on mental health The meeting began with a dance by the implications on spiritual and physical well- Natya Lila Center to a fusion of Eastern & being, moderated by Nanette Tashnek MSW, Western music, in line with the conference D.PSc. A teen panel addressed challenges facing theme: “East Meets West: A Holistic Approach teens moderated by HH Rtadhvaja Swami and to Health.”. HH Bhakti Marg Swami, a long- gender disparity & the # MeToo Movement. standing BMA supporter, presented “Tales from Trails: Putting Heart and Feet towards a Car- Ujjvala Rasajna Dasi discussed presenting free, Care-free Lifestyle”. The keynote, “Life's Bhagavad Gita to hospital HR departments to

172 - March 2019 reduce staff stress. She shared her experience & “Overall this was the best medical conference I resources which allow devotees to carry out the have ever attended. After the conference I felt so initiative in the hospitals they serve. u p l i f t e d & i n s p i r e d ” . S i m i l a r l y, D r Ramachandra Malya opined, “It was an Karunamayi Dasi, demonstrated Ayurvedic excellent Continuing Medical Experience cooking & Dr Baxter Montgomery spoke on (CME) conference with a holistic approach for Veganism. Devotee-centered topics included an uplifting body, mind & soul”. overview of Eastern spiritual literature & a Krishna conscious version of Jeopardy, the TV Members voted to have more devotee show. centric topics, increased opportunity for sanga, a lighter schedule and no CME for future Early morning Yoga sessions were offered meetings. BMA voted to have their next meeting by Eric Tolentino & Lobue, a second- in Houston again Jan 17-20, 2020. Please visit generation devotee. Shorter interactive Yoga, https://www.facebook.com/ISKCONBMA/ for Meditation & Pranayama demonstrations updates. were conducted by Yamini Bhatt and Anil Singhal MD. Also, first become healthy and then Sankirtan. How can we as medical professionals Overall, feedback from attendees was come together and make an impact on the world overwhelmingly positive with most likely to eg. start identifying and publishing in important return next year. Sheila Griffin, RKT, LMT, said, medical areas.

NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE REPORT

By Bhakta T. Brown

he strugging North American Zonal President in Boise, Idaho, attended the MOE TR e p r e s e n t a t i v e s C o m m i t t e e i s conference in Mayapura. Following is a killer constituted of Balimardana Das (Iskcon San article by Gopi-gita Dasi. ere is pretty good Jose, Calfornia), Gopi-gita Dasi (Iskcon Dallas, connection with Sesa and Tapan-misra Prabhus Texas), Visvambara Das (Iskcon Alachua, and the Zonal Representatives. By Krsna Bhakti F l o r i d a ) , R a m a - g i r i d h a r i D a s a n d they will develop the utility of their position. Hanumatpresaka Swami. Respectively they are Contact them about their specic areas through working as: the Viplavah address herein. All of them have · Bali – Convener and Sastric Education, very, very heavy work-loads in personal life, · Gopi – Sunday School Development, community life and their own educational · Visvambara – Primary and Secondary efforts, but if you contact them we expect you Schools, will encounter a mine of resources. · RGD and HPS – General Consulting. Gandharva Das has been nominated by local devotees as Regional Representative for Our monthly meetings happen about half Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia in South America and in the time but we will solve that defect. Bali and good communication with Tapan Ji and taking HpS along with Ananta-rupa Das, Temple on rst complaints.

- March 2019 182 A HIDDEN GEM IN YOUR COMMUNITY:

By Gopi Gita Schomaker, Vice Principal, TKG Academy

If you regularly visit a Krishna temple or memories are of sitting through complex lectures community, I have a challenge for you. Among the against their own will, shushed continuously and arati performers, the kirtaniyas and guests, I ask you feeling like a nuisance in God's home. If those who to nd a hidden gem. is unsung hero may be a profess to love Him don't love His children, what woman or may be a man, old or young, a parent or kind of God would He be? So, she whisks away the not, a devotee for months or years, but I challenge children to what will be their sanctuary, engaging you to nd this hero. Do it soon. them in exciting learning. During prasadam time, she's probably skipping her meal to reorganize the It will be difficult to spot her. She won't be in the supply cabinet: closing glue bottle lids, washing paint temple-room during the main program. Walk down brushes, or restacking the scrap paper, so as to not the hallway and listen for children's laughter. She waste a penny. Immersed in nancial worry, she may may be in a corner room, with piles of donated feel guilty about using her personal family's money to clothes in one corner, and a makeshi cabinet with a purchase these supplies, foregoing her son's need for broken lock in another. is room may or may not a new sweater. As she continues to organize, she may have a colorful rug, wooden chairs for children, or be secretly wishing for more help. But for every easy-to-clean tables for work. Regardless of what the moment spent, she feels that Sri Gauranga Himself, is room holds, this sacred place is her refuge, and is smilingly watching. Had He not, Himself, been the where she nds that Krishna is close. caretaker of children, even the principal of a school, teaching logic and grammar by only relating it to You may see her managing the needs of twenty or Krishna. ough He was ridiculed and doubted, He more children. She will be introducing ancient Vedic knew the importance of teaching the young texts in a way they can understand: by role-playing generation, opening His school even before He dramatic narrations of Vedic personalities, inaugurated the sankirtan movement. As she impressing upon children to bring out their humility remembers His sweet pastimes, she knows He will and tolerance; or by directing a cra to take home. take care of her needs. She knows that happy childhood memories make a lasting, life-long impact by bringing about greater You may nd her surrounded, at other times, by social connectedness, enhanced self-condence and children who have ocked to her side out of love. healthy behaviors. When they're struggling with peers, or about to be lauded for success, they immediately think of their is sheer responsibility compels her to takes her Krishna teacher, even when out of the classroom. service very seriously. Unfortunately, she may also Later on, as young adults, when they nd themselves have seen how negative childhood associations have wondering whether or not they should smoke the affected her adult friends. A few shudder at holding joint just passed to them, they will remember their japa beads, which became a source of harsh, Krishna teacher. In their 20s and 30s, when faced rebuking words by parents, if done incorrectly. with big life decisions- which is the best job and will Others have completely rejected Krishna's this person make a good life partner - guess who communities, hating their upbringing. eir comes to their minds? e sweet Krishna teacher

192 - March 2019 who ignited a re of love for Krishna in their hearts and your struggles. I am here to help you and am at while exhibiting the best possible qualities. your service. Tell me what to do.”

Perhaps you've been unable to nd her, as she en, gather everyone you know, the arati may be deliberately hiding now, playing catch up on performers, kirtaniyas and guests, as well as parents her daily japa. “Time I am,” Krishna consoles in the and non-parents alike! Let them know about her Gita, yet time is her never-ending source of stress. In hidden glories; remind them of her sacrices! Ask addition to practicing her sadhana, managing her them for a donation, and send her on an airplane to family's meals, appointments, clothes and emotions, the ISKCON Ministry of Education conference in June nding enough time feels out of reach. But in the at New Raman Reti Dham, Alachua. ere, she will same Gita, Krishna also promises, “For one who re-energize, share her triumphs and challenges to explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure other kindred souls who are engaged in the same devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he service in temples and communities across North will come back to Me. ere is no servant in this America. She will get tips of lesson planning for the world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be multiple levels, advice on classroom management, one more dear.” ese words of His give her strength most importantly, strategies on how to cement the and trust that one day she will nd the right balance. identities of her students. Your indirect service, and her direct service will someday manifest as children When you do nally nd her, you won't be who will not only surpass their peers with their inner surprised to see her. She is your community's Sunday condence, but who will also know how to connect School or Gurukula Teacher. Please remember, you any adult they come in contact with, to the Supreme are meeting a great sage. Take her aside, offer her a Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna Gauranga. chair and speak these gentle words: "ese children are the future hope of our “ank you for caring for our children. ank society." Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Satsvarupa, New you for your sacrices, your time, your earnestness, York 11 April, 1973)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 18th 2019 - Lil' Krishna Fest; Fremont, California; http://www.bc4he.org/events.html June 27–30th 2019 - 6th Annual ISKCON North America Education Conference, New Raman Ret- dhama – Alachua, Florida. This year's conference is specifically focused for those who serve in primary schools and Sunday schools. This will be a great opportunity to interact with fellow educators from throughout North America and to learn best practices from peers and subject area experts. Registration started January 2019 at www.iskconedcom. Questions regarding the conference, travel and accommodations can be sent to the event organizer – Visvambhara Dasa at [email protected] . July 13-14 t h 2019 – Krishna Home School Convention, ISKCON . http://iskconchicago.com/krishna-homeschool-convention/. Jan 17-20th 2020 - Bhaktivedanta Medical Association 6th Annual Conference, ISKCON Houston, Texas. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/ISKCONBMA/ for updates.

NEXT ISSUE

Will close for submissions by 13 June, Pandava-nirjala-ekadasi, and be released about a week later. Your contributions will go out to over 1,000 educators world-wide and make a change in the progress of Kali-yuga.

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